The Comparison Between Michael and Curt in Americanah and Sing, Unburied, Sing

     Curt from Americanah and Michael from Sing, Unburied, Sing are two white, male characters in two novels that comment on race and the complexities of interracial relationships. Both Curt and Michael are white men in relationships with Black women. However, comparisons and contrasting perspectives can be made due to the difference in socioeconomic status.

    In Americanah, Curt dates Ifemelu, who is Nigerian. Ifemelu is often frustrated by Curt’s optimism and sometimes, his privilege. These things often blinded Curt to Ifemelu’s reality in America. While Ifemelu cannot seem to get any job, Curt easily finds one for her. Similarly, when a hair salon says they cannot wax Ifemelu’s eyebrows, she stays silent, while Curt makes a scene. In these examples, Curt often simplifies Ifemelu’s experiences and tries to fix them himself. While Curt always has good intentions, his naiveté often keeps him from recognizing the deeper complexities of racism in America that Ifemelu is painfully aware of. 

In Sing, Unburied, Sing, there is a similar dynamic between Michael and Leonie. Although they are much poorer than Curt and Michael cannot attempt to fix racism in the same way Curt can, there are parallels in their attitudes. When Michael decides he wants to see his parents and take Leonie, Jojo, and Kayla, he says, “Maybe they’ll surprise us, Leonie” (Ward 199). When Leonie is still unsure, given her experiences with Big Joe, Michael tries to provide sound reasoning. He says, “They made me, baby. And we made the kids. They going to look at Jojo and Michaela and see that” (Ward 199). Michael is convinced that blood will be stronger than color, despite the deep controversy and racism surrounding their families. 

In both books, this type of optimism is a privilege only white men have. The Black women in both novels have experiences that cause hesitancy or distaste when it comes to their partners’ blind hope. These two interracial couples and the way they are portrayed suggest that, due to the complexity and deep roots of racism in America, interracial couples face more difficulty relating fundamentally. Whether this is true or not is not the point, but simply that these authors have provided instances in which the characters’ situations make it difficult for their relationships to thrive.